Fall Color Information for Guadalupe Mountains National Park

"Colorful fall foliage is adorning the mountain slopes and canyons of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. “This is one of the busiest times of the year, and people want to know when the canyons will be at their peak of color,” says Chief of Biological Resources and Visitor Services Fred Armstrong. “The peak usually falls around the last two weekends of October with good color development through the first week of November, but it is anybody’s guess how the combination of temperatures, moisture, daylight, leaf starches and sugars will interact to produce the height of color, “ said Armstrong.

Visitors can obtain current color status in two ways; selecting option 4, McKittrick Canyon information, from the automated phone system at 915-828-3251; or on the park web page at nps.gov/gumo. Armstrong reported, “Both of these sources will be updated as the colors progress.

The next four weekends can be busy, but remember that McKittrick Canyon is not the only place to enjoy the colors; Dog Canyon, Devils Hall, Smith Spring and the high country are beautiful alternatives to explore. Planning your visit during mid-week will also avoid most crowds.” McKittrick Canyon is a day-use area; the highway gate is currently locked at 6 p.m. and will close at 4:30 p.m. when the clocks return to Mountain Standard Time. Audiovisual ranger talks will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. in the visitor center at Pine Springs during this fall colors season. Program topics are posted on the park web site under the Things to Do and Schedule of Events buttons. Call the park at the number above for additional information."